THUMB UPDATE 033111

Hi. Wanted to report that my right thumb and wrist are doing really well, though the wrist had this protuberance growing off of it like an alien invasion. Every day it grew in size until one day I just pushed down on it really hard and it disappeared! Yikes. Now the skin right around that area is weird, kind of scaly. I think I just smushed the cortizone or the fluid in the tendon or something. The left thumb is getting a little worse I believe, but it's hard to tell because I now have an injured pinky on the same hand from smashing it at work, so when I try to bring my left pinky and thumb together it hurts, but I think the pain is coming from the pinky not the thumb. Oye. In the morning the thumb is definitely worse, and it's gotten stuck in the extended position several times, which hurts beyond belief. I have to force myself to bend the thumb forward to get it out of the pain, which is like walking through fire to put it out. But, I am eons more comfortable now. Imagine that, I can actually brush my teeth without pain.

This is the final week of visual journaling. I've enjoyed the process and look forward to continuing on my own.

NEW FLASH ABOUT HOT FLASHES
I realized the other night that my hot flashes are much much better. They occur much less frequently. Such a relief. It feels nice to have one of the physical residuals start to fade. Every residual just reminds me about cancer. Probably as it gets warmer with spring they will return a bit, but let's hope not. One thing that I realized through the visual journaling is my anger around being thrust into menopause because of the cancer. Most of you know I had my ovaries removed in October 2009, thus rendering me pausal. It was actually a relief to have the surgery, because my mother died of ovarian cancer when she was fifty-five (and I was fourteen). I was happy to let them go. Still, had I not had the breast cancer, I wouldn't be in menopause right now. On the other hand, it's nice to know what IT is, rather than wonder if IT is something else. Also, it's really nice to know I don't have ovaries. That was always a tiny underlying fear, even before the breast cancer.

Lots going on on the book front. Several new speaking engagements in the works, including three at veteran hospitals. In fact, I've got to run and get back to it. I'm thrilled to have such an opportunity to help people. I feel it is my life calling.

Wishing you well, as always,
Sue